After finishing our pergola and decking around the spa, the space looked great, but it needed personality. Plants and décor make all the difference when you want an outdoor area to feel warm and lived-in.

I already had the perfect piece sitting in my kitchen. Years ago, my son made me a wooden bin at school. It’s nothing fancy, but it holds a lot of sentimental value. I couldn’t bring myself to toss it in the shed, so I decided to give it a new life as a planter for the deck. This project turned out to be practical, meaningful, and a beautiful addition to the space.

This project is part of the Do It Over Designers blog hop, where a talented group of bloggers breathe new life into old or unloved items. Be sure to check out all the creative upcycles linked at the bottom of this post! 

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Upcycled Wooden Bin Planter for a Cosy Spa Deck

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Materials Needed

• Old wooden bin or box
• Plastic plant pot (I used a 30cm pot)
• Scrap wood for supports and base
• Wood glue
• Ratchet straps
• Orbital sander with 120 grit discs
• Exterior wood stain (cedar tone)
• Outdoor sealer
• Exterior paint (I used Colourbond)
• Screws and drill
• Scrap wood for legs
• Plant pot tray
• Decorative feature (optional)
• Beaded garden stakes

Step 1: Remove the Lid Hardware

Start by removing all hardware from the lid, including hinges and the lid support. This gives you a flat, workable surface for your planter.

Once the support was removed, the lid needed to be re-secured. I glued the top back together and used ratchet straps to hold everything tight while the glue dried.

Step 2: Plan for Drainage and Weight

My biggest concern was protecting the decking. I didn’t want water pooling underneath and causing the timber to rot. I also didn’t want a heavy planter filled with soil.

So instead of filling the whole bin, I created a false bottom inside. This allows a plastic pot to sit inside while keeping the weight down and protecting the wood.

Step 3: Build the Raised Base

I found the largest plastic pot that would fit inside. A 30cm pot worked perfectly because the lip sits nicely on the bin edge for support. Next, I measured the pot and added timber supports inside the bin.

Make sure you allow for the thickness of your base panel when positioning these supports. Do a dry fit before moving on. You want the pot to sit slightly below the top edge for a clean finish.

Step 4: Sand Back the Old Finish

The bin had old varnish and stain that needed to go. I used an orbital sander with 120-grit discs to strip it back to bare timber. This step is important to help the new stain absorb evenly.

Step 5: Stain and Seal the Timber

Once sanded, I applied a cedar-toned stain to bring out the natural grain. After that dried, I sealed the timber to protect it from the weather. Even under a pergola, outdoor pieces still get exposed to moisture.

Step 6: Add Legs to Protect Your Decking

To stop water pooling underneath, I added legs to lift the planter off the deck. I used scrap wood from an old table leg and cut four equal pieces.

Each leg was pre-drilled and countersunk before being screwed into the base. This simple step helps extend the life of both the planter and your decking.

Step 7: Add Drainage Holes

Even with a pot inside, water can still find its way in. I drilled drainage holes in the bottom of the bin to allow any excess water to escape.

Step 8: Weatherproof High-Risk Areas

When I built the deck, I used exterior Colourbond paint, so I carried that through to the planter by coating the top edges, base, and legs as well, since these areas are the most exposed to moisture and benefit from that extra layer of protection.

Step 9: Add a Decorative Feature

Once assembled, the planter looked a bit plain, so I created a feature using my xTool P2 laser by cutting a meditating lady design from plywood, then painting and sealing it for outdoor use before glueing it to the front, and this one detail completely transformed the look while adding a calm, spa-like feel.

Step 10: Insert the Pot and Plant

Inside the planter, I placed a plant pot tray on the base to catch any excess water, then added my plastic pot with a bright red geranium for a pop of colour.

The best part is you can easily swap out plants anytime without redoing the whole planter. You can also add a touch of colour by adding a beaded garden stake that will shimmer and shine in the sunlight. I also recently made a wooden wind spinner from leftover decking boards, so this planter ties in perfectly with that natural timber look.

Why This Planter Works So Well

This design solves a few common problems:

• Prevents water damage to decking
• Keeps the planter lightweight
• Extends the life of the wood
• Makes plant changes quick and easy

More wooden planter ideas

This planter was crafted from recycled wood scraps, layered to create a beautiful and character-filled piece.

This planter was made using recycled pallet wood to create a multi-tiered planter.

Do it over designers blog hop

The Do It Over Designers are a group of creative bloggers who love giving old, forgotten, or thrifted items a brand-new purpose. Hosted by Ann of The Apple Street Cottage, this monthly blog hop showcases inspiring upcycle projects to spark your own DIY creativity.

Little Vintage Cottage

Pandora’s Box

Purple Hues & Me

Unique Creations by Anita

Sum of Their Stories

Vintage Style Gal

The Apple Street Cottage

Birdz of a Feather

Exquisitely Unremarkable

If you’d like to find any of the items used in this project, we’d greatly appreciate it if you used our affiliate links. These links provide us with a small commission at no extra cost to you, allowing us to continue creating and sharing more inspiring projects. We’d also love to hear your thoughts—feel free to leave a comment or share this post!